KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL

T 02 4943 3044 A 57 Lexington Parade, Adamstown Heights, NSW 2289 W kotara-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/home

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2019. It is hard to believe that we are over the half way point of the term and year twelve are nearly half way through the HSC year. We have had a settled start back to school for 2019 and I would like to thank the community for their support at the start of the term as well as our whole stu-dent body for their behaviour and commitment to education.

We have a number of new staff in 2019, across a number of Key Learning Areas, and I wanted to introduce them, if you haven’t met them already, through our first newsletter. In Mathematics we have Mr Nick Shorten, in English Mrs Julie Clifton (who has done some temp work at our school previously) and Mrs Leanne Fern-ley, and in ALPACA, and specifically Drama, we have Mrs Cynthia Hendriks. We are currently completing a Merit Selection Process to replace Mr Greg Mogg in the Executive role of Teaching and learning, and this position should be announced by the end of term. Finally, we also have a number of other vacancies that will become officially filled this year and I will keep the community in the loop.

Our student return for 2019 has been the biggest in the school’s history, at 1150 students. Each year, in week two, the principal has to indicate to the department, how many students have enrolled and been present for the new academic year. This figure than dictates all of our resourcing, including staff, utilities and faculty funding. This is a great sign for our school, and an indication that we will require further learning spaces in the near future. I believe that this new number will be the norm over the next few years, as our community continues to grow in num-bers.

The School’s swimming carnival took place on February 5. Student attendance was up from previous years, and behaviour was excellent, even the staff from the pool commented positively about our students. The swimming carnival is a great day within our school calendar, and an event that brings our school culture to the fore and everyone had a great time. I would like to publicly acknowledge the work of Kira Threadgate for her organisation of the day as well as all of the staff for their commitment and effort.

On Friday the 22nd of February our SRC organised and hosted a pinks stumps fundraiser for the Glenn Mcgrath Foundation. During each break students in the main quadrangle took part in a huge game of cricket, student’s donated gold coins to be out of uniform (in pink), and specific pink treats were on sale. It was fantastic to see so many students and staff involved in the event, and over one thousand dollars was raised for the organisation. I would like to sincerely thank Miss Philpott and the SRC for their efforts on this day.

Lastly, as you are all aware, the 2019 academic year has seen the implementation of a new timetable. Feedback for the changes has been very positive from stu-dents, staff and community, and I would like to invite any further feedback that the community may have about the changes. All the best for the rest of the term and thank you again, to all of the community for your ongoing support of our school.

Mr Snedden

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Awabakal people, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.

This IssueExcursion photos

SRC

Careers

Aboriginal Education

Swimming Carnival

Issue 1 2019

From The Principal’s Desk

KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL

T 02 4943 3044 A 57 Lexington Parade, Adamstown Heights, NSW 2289 W kotara-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/home

Issue 1 2019

Yr 12 Visual ArtsYear 12 Visual Arts students went on an excursion to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to see the “Art Express 2019” and “Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage” exhibitions. Students enjoyed looking at the incredible work of previous students (HSC 2018) in Art Express 2019, finding inspiration for the development of their own Bodies of Work. They also found inspiration in the Modern Masters, seeing the modernist work they have been studying in class. Many students were very excited to see the Black Square by famous Supremacist artist, Malevich. We were impressed with the standard of behaviour and over enthusiasm displayed by these Year 12 students throughout drizzly Sydney day.

Yr 11 Modern HistoryOn Tuesday the 26th of February the Year 11 Modern History classes travelled to Manly Quarantine Station for a site study, exploring the archaeology and rich history of our colonial past. The Manly Quarantine Station was a working facility until 1984, and gives us a lot of clues about what life was like at this time, and what life was like at the station, as people were stuck there for a minimum of 40 days. Students had the opportunity to travel to the Q station via the ferry at Circular Quay and got a real feeling for the experiences of the migrants, convicts and soldiers as they arrived via the sea to the station for isolation. Students investigated the rock carvings, the buildings, the archaeology and the landscape of the station. The weather was fantastic and everyone had a wonderful time.

KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL

T 02 4943 3044 A 57 Lexington Parade, Adamstown Heights, NSW 2289 W kotara-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/home

Issue 1 2019

Swimming Carnival Age champions from the Kotara High School Swimming carnival.

Support Faculty Swimming Champion Tonuia Smith12 years Boys Louis Smith12 years Girls Ava Cleare13 years Boys Jai Clarke and Cooper Vimpani13 years Girls Lani Waller14 years Boys Luke Taylor14 Years Girls Charli Newling15 years Boys Spencer Burdack15 years girls Mackenzie Clancy16 years Boys Tom Clancy16 years Girls Angel Newling17+ years Thoms Flook17+ years Ella Cleare

See more photos further on in this newsletter

Zone/Regional Swimming

Congratulations to all students who represented Kotara High at the Zone swimming carnival. It was a fantastic day and outstanding sportsmanship, competitiveness and behaviour were displayed by all students.Kotara High will be represented in 21 individual events and 7 relays at the Regional Swimming Carnival to be held at Lambton Pool on Monday 4th March.

Best of luck to the following students who qualified for the Regional CarnivalYear 7 - Ava Cleare, Annabelle Flook, Jasmine Lambkin, Anabel Moore, Lani WallerYear 8 - Lexi Burdack, Mayla Cotterell, Imogen Egan, Charli NewlingYear 9 - Jordan Baggs, Tommy Chaplin, Declan Fitzgerald,Year 10 - Spencer Burdack, Tom Clancy, Wil Cromarty, Thomas Flook, Paige Harker, Emma Hopkins, Ellie Lambkin, Jack Marsh, Nic Newland, Angel NewlingYear 11 - Ella Cleare, Matt BaggsYear 12 - Parker Hopkins, Harrison Payne, Josh Turner

KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL

T 02 4943 3044 A 57 Lexington Parade, Adamstown Heights, NSW 2289 W kotara-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/home

Issue 1 2019

Careers News There is lots happening in the area of careers.The students undertaking face to face Tafe courses commenced their studies during the week of Feb 11. At this stage some on the online courses are yet to start. The Tafe are in the process of sending out contact details and password information so courses are expected to commence soon.Every Monday the Careerlinks job file is forwarded by email to all students in Years 10, 11 and 12. Students also have access to the hard copy of this document and that of the Verto apprenticeships newsletter at the Careers Office. Students are welcome to see Mrs McPherson (Monday – Thursday) or Mrs Atkins (Friday) for more information or to assist with applications.Year 10 Careers lessons are progressing well and the majority of students have now registered with the Kotara High Careers website. This has plenty of information on careers with interest quizzes, calendar of events, information about work experience and much more. Every student is encouraged to register in the secure student area. It’s the first dropdown under the heading ‘For students’. Many students have also created a USI – a unique student identifier, that is required if any training is undertaken. It provides a transcript of any nationally recognised training that the student completes. More information can be found on our school’s career website. If students need assistance to create a USI, they can bring a photo of their Medicare card, licence, birth certificate or passport to Mrs McPherson or Mrs Atkins. Students are expected to compile a Careers portfolio and are encouraged to ensure they bring a fully charged device to every lesson.Coming up we have some guest speakers visiting the school to address interested students. The first is a representative from Novaskill, who will speak about apprenticeships and traineeships. This will be held in the Library at recess on Thursday 14th March. On Monday 25th March, also in the Library at recess, will be a representative from Civil Contractors to give an insight into the many career opportunities in this field. This will be followed by an evening at Noah’s on the Beach on Thursday 28th March at 4.30 – 5.30pm for both students and parents. Register by emailing events@ccfnsw.comEarly in Term 2 Kotara High will be running a White Card training day at a cost of $99. This is a nationally accredited course and is required for anyone considering working on a construction site. Any

Year 10 student hoping to secure work experience in this area needs to have completed this course. The maximum number of students accepted for the course is twenty. Permission notes will be distributed next week. Later in the term a First Aid course will also be offered.Year 10 work experience is undertaken during week 3 of Term 3 and all Year 10 are expected to participate. Students need to give some thought as to what they’d like to do and start to make contact with possible employers. Further information can be found under the Workplace Learning tab on the Kotara High Careers website or by speaking to Mrs McPherson or Mrs Atkins.There are a number of students who are undertaking school based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATS) this year. Four students are working with Reece Plumbing doing Warehousing, two with Hunter New England Health doing Human Services, two doing Retail with KFC and another doing Business Services through Westfield. SBATS provide students with the opportunity to gain a recognised training certificate as well as workplace experience and may lead to a permanent position after finishing school. Congratulations to those students who gained these positions.

Aboriginal Education News Great start to the year. Many of our students attended the Awabakal Strong Youth Launch at Broadmeadow PCYC. They enjoyed a great day of dancing, weaving, bubble soccer, various Aboriginal performers and lots of food and drink. See photos futher on in newsletter.Our senior students Kristiana Brown and Kirra Bundy attended the 2019 Secondary Aboriginal Dance Workshop at Newcastle High school. The one day workshop was run by the Department of Education in collaboration with the internationally reowned Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Upcoming Events for Term 1• Aboriginal performer Sean Choolburra• Local cultural excursion with David Newham

It’s only Week 5 but our SRC have had a busy start to the year. Students have celebrated Valentine’s Day with the sale and delivery of roses as well as host Pink Stumps Day for the McGrath Foundation, success-fully raising $1300. Our Captains and Vice Captains have also been busy, having a attended a Leadership Morning Tea with Jodie Harrison MP and Pat Conroy MP. SRC were also finally able to test out the new KHS Shade Shelters. Purchased by the SRC and the school, we now have 6 brand new KHS branded shade shel-ters to be used at carnivals and fundraising events.

Thankyou for your amazing work!!

KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL

T 02 4943 3044 A 57 Lexington Parade, Adamstown Heights, NSW 2289 W kotara-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/home

Issue 1 2019

SRC

KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL

T 02 4943 3044 A 57 Lexington Parade, Adamstown Heights, NSW 2289 W kotara-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/home

Issue 1 2019

Awabakal Strong Youth Launch at PCYC

KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL

T 02 4943 3044 A 57 Lexington Parade, Adamstown Heights, NSW 2289 W kotara-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/home

Issue 1 2019

2019 Swimming Carnival

KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL

T 02 4943 3044 A 57 Lexington Parade, Adamstown Heights, NSW 2289 W kotara-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/home

Issue 1 2019